Crisis Support
Is your life in danger?
If you have seriously harmed yourself: call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E.
Or ask someone else to call 999 or take you to A&E.
In Buckinghamshire the nearest A&E is at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Safe Haven
We offer short-term intervention to people while they are in a mental health crisis, as an alternative to A&E.
We understand that a mental health crisis can be a frightening and sometimes lonely experience. We are here to let you know that you are not alone. We provide listening support, signposting and safety planning in a welcoming and supportive setting. We also understand that people sometimes want a place to just ‘be’ during a mental health crisis, and that’s fine too.
We are here seven evenings a week from 6.00pm – midnight.
To contact Safe Haven in Aylesbury, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, please call 01296 453017.
To contact Safe Haven in High Wycombe, seven evenings a week, please call 01494 218098.
Please click here for more information.
NHS Mental Health Advice: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Dial 111 for 24/7 mental health advice from the NHS for adults and children from Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Emergency contacts
If you or someone you know has hurt themselves, or is feeling like they are about to hurt themselves, call 999 or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department. In Buckinghamshire this is at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Talking about your feelings is really important, both if you are feeling in need of support or if you are worried about someone. Our Safe Haven service in provides a safe and non-judgemental environment for people in a mental health crisis. For further information about how to access Safe Haven and what to expect from the service please click here.
Some of the free helplines are:
- Buckinghamshire CAMHS – Mental Health services for those under 21
Call 01865 901 951 - Aylesbury Vale AMHT – Mental Health services for adults
Call 01865 901 287 - Chiltern AMHT – Mental Health services for adults
Call 01865 901 344 - NHS help online – for everyone
Call 111 - Samaritans – for everyone
Call 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org - Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat page - SaneLine – for everyone
Call 0300 304 7000 – 4pm -10:30pm every day - PAPYRUS – for anyone under 35 with thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person may be having thoughts of suicide
Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday: 10am to 10pm, Weekends: 2pm to 10pm, Bank Holidays: 2pm to 10pm - Mind infoline
Call 0300 123 3393 – weekdays 9am – 6pm, email: info@mind.org.uk
Talk to someone you trust
Let family or friends know what’s going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.
There’s no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what’s important.
Its safe to talk about suicide – Buckinghamshire leaflet
Who else you can talk to
If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:
- Call your GP – ask for an emergency appointment
- Call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
- Contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one
Tips for coping right now
- Try not to think about the future – just focus on getting through today
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol
- Get yourself to a safe place, like a friend’s house
- Be around other people
- Do something you usually enjoy, such as spending time with a pet
Worried about someone else?
If you’re worried about someone, try to get them to talk to you. Ask open-ended questions like: “How do you feel about…?”
Don’t worry about having the answers. Just listening to what someone has to say and taking it seriously can be more helpful.
See Samaritans’ tips on how to start a difficult conversation.
Rethink also has advice on how to support someone who is having suicidal thoughts.
Contains information from NHS Digital, licenced under the current version of the Open Government Licence